The 2008-2009 season, both on and off the field, was one of the most successful for cricket at Carey for a number of years. It started way back in June when 14 Year 9, 10 & 11 cricketers represented the school with distinction on the England Tour, a trip that was generally regarded as the most successful to date.
On the Playing Field
The number of cricketers in 1st Term was similar to last season, with the exception of the Year 7s, where we only had sufficient numbers for two teams. Unfortunately there was only one Year 10 team, but with a very strong participation from Year 12s, we had three Open Age teams (1st, 2nd & 3rd XI’s).
Our 1st XI had its most successful season for the past decade, finishing in the top half of the premiership table (equal 5th). It won six matches, including a memorable outright against Haileybury. Three of the four losses were by very narrow margins and they were the only team to beat the eventual premiers, Xavier.
The number of games scheduled reached new heights. Not only because a normal 1st Term allowed most teams to have the opportunity to play 7 or 8 games, but importantly with the assistance of the sports department:- we entered extra teams in the 4th term competition in 2008 (1st XI, 2nd XI, 9A’s {for the then Year 8’s} & 8A’s {for the then Year 7’s}
- our “A” teams + 2nd XI each played a 20/20 practice match against Scotch on the weekend before the start of the normal school year (the day after the Friday orientation day).
Carey Cricket Club Activities
Some of our ongoing activities included:
- The 1st XI Cap Presentation function - the team’s co-coaches Scott Blackman and Neil ‘Spider’ Williams presented caps to the players selected to represent the school 1st XI in the first game of the season. Unfortunately for various reasons we were unable to invite the players and parents of the Middle School teams, an issue that we will need to address in future years.
- The Year 7 welcome morning tea for the new students and their families after the 30+ enthusiastic young cricketers spent the morning plying their skills at Carey for the first time.
- The two day CCC Cricket Camp prior to commencement of the school year. Despite stifling heat over 40 players from Year 8, 9 and 10 took part in net sessions and practice matches. This is a program developed and run in-house by the CCC Committee, several of whom gave freely of their time to co-ordinate the running of the event (thanks to Vaughan Roberts and Sue Richardson).
- Similar to the CCC camp, we again set about organising an all-day coaching clinic for the new Year 7 students on the day prior to their first full day of school at Carey. Unfortunately the extreme heat forced us to cancel the day, though unlike last year where rain intervened, we were able to notify all families of the cancellation the night before. Despite this set-back it is an initiative we will continue in the future.
- The CCC website kept everyone informed of the cricket program. With the co-operation of our coaches, we were able to publish detailed weekly match results, including individual player performances and match reports (thanks again to Wayne Lanning for arranging this facility).
- The Weekly Player awards continued to be enthusiastically received by the students. Following a review of the effectiveness of the program, we took the decision to only award prizes to the Middle School teams.
- Highlighted by a new fresh look (design and layout) we published our annual pre season Newsletter to all cricketers and their families. In the publication we reviewed the previous season and set out the plans for the forthcoming season (thanks to Nikki Langdon, the parent of a Year 8 cricketer, who’s graphic design expertise created the new design and layout).
- We continued with our electronic Directory of Cricketers where we sought parental consent to include their family’s contact details. Compiled by our Club Secretary, Vaughan Roberts, it provides invaluable assistance with the distribution of information to parents (thanks Vaughan).
- The end of season Presentation Dinner where over 220 people, including representatives of the school, coaches, parents and students, celebrated the end of the cricket season. With “Smokey” Dawson as MC, the evening was highly entertaining, particularly his “off the cuff” interview of our guest for the evening, Paul Montgomery, coach of the successful Ringwood Cricket Club (back to back premiers of the 1st XI Premier Cricket Competition). The slide show of photos taken by parents provided a wonderful insight into the spirit of cricket at Carey (thanks to Vaughan Roberts).
Challenges for CCC
- To ensure the long term health of cricket at Carey it is vital that more and more teams play in 4th term. It is very pleasing that after a successful trial last year, the school’s Sports Department has recently confirmed that the same teams have been entered in the 4th Term competition: 1st XI, 2nd XI, Year 9A team (current Year 8 students) and Year 8A team (current Year 7 students). In future though, it would be desirable to offer a game of cricket in 4th Term to all Carey cricketers.
- Fundraising is always a challenge. We need to raise between $500 to $1000 each year to cover the costs we incur to provide the current programs. The decision to charge students to attend the CCC Cricket Camp for the first time enabled us to restore the balance of our funds. (Paul O’Hern will provide further details in the Treasurers’ Report).
- Recruiting new members to the committee is important - each year we lose members as their children leave the school. In two year’s time, three of our current office bearers will have left the school community and the CCC committee, so we need to encourage current Year 7, 8 and 9 parents, particularly mothers, to join the committee.
- Forming a closer relationship with the Old Carey Cricket Club is important. Whilst they attend our end of season cricket dinner and host the annual School 1st XI versus Old Boys match we should seek their assistance in other ways. They have some young enthusiastic leaders on their committee – maybe in future they could run the CCC Cricket Camp for us.
- Undertaking a formal review at the end of each cricket season is something that the committee should consider. Our first ever end of season meeting over a meal at a restaurant was designed to start this process – unfortunately a very noisy venue thwarted our attempts. We as representatives of the parents and students need to give the Sports Department feedback at the end of each season, whether it be:
- performance of the coaches, particularly where they are new to the program
- the school’s handling of the make up of teams in a situation where numbers require the rostering of players from week to week
- the issues around the fixturing of games for Middle School teams on Friday nights (many of the players in these teams also play “club” cricket on a Friday evening)
Recognition
- Paul Allsopp, TIC cricket - as TIC Paul provides a vital link between coaches, parents, students and the CCC committee – all concerned appreciate his wonderful contribution to the cricket program and hope that he continues in this position next season..
- 1st XI coaches Neil Williams and Scott Blackman - they have a true passion for cricket spending in excess of 12 hours each weekend at the 1st XI games.
- David Morgan and Mick Boyes - the “odd couple”, as they are affectionately known, for leading the 1st XI squad’s mid season tour to Adelaide.
- School’s support of Cricket at Carey – particularly for their continued injection of professional coaches from outside the school.
- Carey Cricketers and their families – for their ongoing enthusiasm and passion for the game of cricket.
- Hard working committee of CCC - thank-you for your hard work - it makes the challenge of being President of CCC significantly easier. And to our departing Treasurer, Paul a fantastic journey over the past six years since our boys played their first game together in Year 7. You have been a great supporter of cricket at Carey. Thankyou for your hard work and insightful comments as a member of the CCC committee over many years.
From my perspective, in departing I wish the committee all the best for the future. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the committee to develop initiatives that hopefully adds value to the cricket program on offer at Carey. Many other sports at Carey would clearly benefit from this type of parental involvement.
It is pleasing to be leaving knowing that cricket is alive and well at Carey – this year’s Presentation Dinner was the best attended in my time at Carey. It was wonderful to see nearly all prize winners in attendance to receive their awards in front of over 220 people.
David Smith
President, Carey Cricket Club (2008/2009)